Fourth Day...

Last night was a good night. Elizabeth took one of the lines out of my belly button so I am now one chain down and closer to freedom! I know I'm jumping the gun, but a guy's gotta have dreams! This morning my O2 level is good and I might lose the bili-lights today. We'll have to see what my doc says. I'll update again after my morning routine.

FYI This monitor is the part of the ventilator that tells my respiratory therapists and nurses exactly how I'm processing O2. It reports how many times I breath vs. how many times it breathes for me, and a bunch of other stuff that's over my head. BTW I usually breath around 48 times a minute and it usually breathes for me about 21 times a minute. Not too bad, but needs to improve.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."
Lam. 3:22-23 (ESV)

11:45AM
The morning has gone fairly well. Alice, another one of my excellent nurses, had to adjust my PICC line. The PICC line enters my arm and travels close to my heart. I heard someone in the NICU (I can't remember the nurse's name) say that putting one in a preemie can be like threading a needle. Well, that can be a touch concerning when you're such a wee needle. Nevertheless, I have the Great Physician and top notch caregivers, so no worries. Besides it was only an adjustment and I heard Alice tell Daddy everything went well and I'm good now.

I have a specific prayer request for my Mommy and Daddy. You see, before too much longer they'll have to go back to work and won't be able to come around so much. I know they are already thinking about it. Just pray that Jesus will give them the peace that passes all understanding.

7:00PM
It has been crazy around here this afternoon. Around noon I had to be turned so I was lying on my back. If you've read my "Get to know me" section then you know I'm a tummy sleeper. Whenever I lay flat of my back I squirm, wiggle, and pull on my hook ups. I know they do it for a needful reason, so my body won't get too used to lying in one position. But it causes my O2 levels to go down and they have to give me more breathing help. I suspect that when I gain some strength it won't bother me so much. They did put me back on my tummy a short while ago.

My mouth and throat have needed suctioning twice this afternoon and evening. I'm a drooly baby, which means my mouth catches more of the wet stuff than I am able to cough out. This also causes me to need help in breathing. So, it looks like I'm really gonna need to gain some more strength before my breathing becomes 100% me.

However, the day ended on a good note. I got to spend some good one on one time with Mommy and Daddy. Mommy has been touching me and getting as close as she can from day one. Daddy, however, has been a little sick and has kept his distance. Today was the first time he didn't wear a mask when he visited me. He held my hand, it was cool.

One last thing for the day. I'm having an issue with my sodium levels, they are too unstable. My caregivers are treating me as they should, but I'm just not reacting as quickly as I maybe need to. So, please keep that in mind when you pray for me. Me and my family are so thankful for all the prayers. Yaw keep praying and I'll keep growing.